Alleged absence of efforts to revive nine abandoned housing projects in Penang have left many of the prospective buyers in a high state of discontent - and they plan to vent their feelings on Thursday.

At least 100 of them will hold a peaceful demonstration in front of the State Legislative Assembly building in George Town.

Penang DAP secretary Danny Law Heng Kiang, who will organise the protest, said the buyers have timed the move to the assembly sitting this week.

They will submit a memorandum to the state government, urging the authorities to revive the projects soon.

"They are dismayed by the state government's prolonged delay in providing them houses. It is duty-bound to help the house buyers," said Law.

The projects, mainly delivering low-medium cost houses, include the proposed Taman Cemerlang in Bandar Baru Air Itam; Majestic Heights in Paya Terubong; Fettes Villa in Tanjung Tokong; Taman Crystal in Bagan Jermal; Taman Desa Aman in Relau; and PPH Resort in Sungai Ara, all on the island.

Projects on the mainland are Taman Sejahtera in Tasek Gelugor; Taman Pekatra Indah in Simpang Empat; and Taman Suria in Nibong Tebal.

These have been abandoned from between four and 10 years. If revived, they would provide about 10,000 low- and low-medium units of flats.

The state government controls the purchase of low-cost and low-medium houses under its `one family, one house' policy for the lower income group. The scheme is operated through a housing application registration process after offers are made and accepted.

'Process underway'

When contacted, state housing, culture, arts and heritage committee chairperson Syed Amerrudin Syed Ahmad denied that the government had been ineffective in reviving the projects.

He pointed out that several projects had been revived over the past three years, such as:

Taman Hijau (293 units) in George Town;

Taman Desa Widuri in Gertak Sanggul;

Taman Sri Bayu (987 units) in Bayan Lepas;

Taman Nuri (362 units) in Seberang Perai Selatan;

and Taman Perwira (258 units) in Seberang Perai Tengah;

Taman Malwira (167 units) in Mengkuang Titi; and

Taman Penaga Jaya (1,021 units) in Seberang Perai Utara.

He said negotiations are being conducted with the original and new developers, financial institutions and government agencies such as Syarikat Perumahan Negara Bhd (SPNB) to revive abandoned projects, which are scattered all over the state.

Negotiations are being carried out with the help of the housing and local government ministry and local councils.

New developers and funds have been found, he said, to revive Taman Cemerlang, Fettes Villa, Taman Crystal, Taman Sejahtera and Taman Pekatra Indah.

"The projects will recommence once the new plans are approved by the local councils," Syed Ameruddin said.

However, Law questioned the state government's sincerity and sense of urgency, pointing out that the revived projects are all in rural areas "which are Umno vote-banks".

"The state government has not given priority to abandoned projects in urban areas, where the housing shortage is felt most.

"It is not sincere and genuine in its so-called efforts to revive abandoned housing projects. It has neglected its public duty."

During the 2004 general election campaign, caretaker Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon had told voters that the Barisan Nasional government would work tirelessly to revive all abandoned projects to provide affordable homes to the growing urban population, and especially for the lower and middle-income groups.

With a lack of affordable housing in George Town, many have moved to rural areas in Bayan Lepas, Teluk Kumbar, Balik Pulau, mainland Seberang Perai and neighbouring states.

Financial burden

Law also hit out against the lack of protection for house buyers under the housing laws when projects are abandoned.

"The house buyers are left in the dark and forced to service bank loans for abandoned projects," he said.

In most negotiations being carried out by the state government to revive the projects, house buyers are being told to fork out extra money to have their homes completed.

This has heavily burdened frustrated house buyers since they have already been servicing bank loans, besides paying rental for their current premises.

Law pointed out that the Taman Sri Bayu project was revived through SPNB funding without forcing house buyers to pay extra.

"The state government should negotiate with SPNB to revive all projects in similar way. "Otherwise, it's unfair to the house buyers," he added.